2025 I/I Magazine

I/I MAGAZINE 2025

Aggie Polo Club at UC Davis

Brown University Polo Club

Cal Poly Polo Club

Cornell Polo Club

CSU Polo Team

Georgetown University Polo Team

Michigan Intercollegiate Polo Club

Montana State Polo Club

Morehouse College Polo Club

MSU Polo Club

Oklahoma State Polo Club

Oregon State University Polo Club

Polo Club at Virginia Tech

Polo Club of UW-Madison

Skidmore Polo Club

Stanford Polo Club

Texas A&M Polo Club

Texas Tech Polo Club

Trinity University Polo Club

UConn Polo Club

UNH Polo Team

USC Polo Team

University of Idaho Polo Club

University of Kentucky Polo Team

University of Maryland Polo Team

UNT Polo Club

USC Aiken Polo Club

Virginia Polo Team

Yale Polo

2025 I/I MAGAZINE

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

See the good.

This fall, a hurricane named Helene wreaked some local havoc in my hometown of Aiken, South Carolina. On a personal level, our farm had minimal damage with only a few trees down. We were without power and internet for eight days and at best, had spotty cell service, but we were safe and counting our blessings. Other areas were certainly not as fortunate in their outcomes. Prior to the storm, I had come across a video on social media explaining how to see the good. It portrayed a mother of young children who, after a similar experience of destruction from a natural disaster, drove around town and encouraged her children to see the good. She pointed out all of the people in the community working together and helping one another: the first responders, line men, volunteer firefighters, and private citizens. It’s often easy to get caught up in the day to day of polo: the scores, the rosters, the seeding. It’s a year’s worth of preparation, practicing and competing, but at the end of the day, there is only one national champion. While I love the competitive spirit, and it is safe to say I have been known to have a competitive side, that isn’t why we all do this, is it? It may be every player’s dream to stand on the podium hoisting a trophy, but that moment is one of millions. It’s the thousands of memories we make, the friends we have created, the lessons we learn along the way and all the people in the community working together to make it happen. Those are the reasons we play polo. The good.

As we head into tournament time, I encourage all of us to see the good:

• The coach working endlessly to organize players, teams, games and horses.

• The parents bringing in a piping hot crockpot full of chili for all the players after a cold winter game and hauling horses at all hours of the day.

• The student athletes rising before dawn to feed and care for horses before classes start in the morning.

• Teammates supporting from the sideline and in the barn.

• Horse providers trusting unfamiliar players to play their horses.

• The friends and family being the best cheering squads ever.

• The umpires taking their paid time off to officiate I/I games and tournaments.

• The tournament managers working in all weather conditions to make sure tournaments run smoothly.

• EMTs and vets being at the ready to help players and horses in need.

• Competitors forging friendships outside the arena, understanding that they could be teammates in the months or years ahead.

Thank you to the I/I community for being the good.

Amy Fraser Director, I/I Polo

2024 NIC tournament management and officials

Welcome to the 2024-2025 USPA Intercollegiate and Interscholastic tournament season! We expect another terrific year with 62 interscholastic teams and 40 intercollegiate teams participating in the tournaments. We will be playing NIC at a new location this year - DFW Polo - and returning to Empire Polo Club for NIS and Cornell for DII Nationals. National tournaments typically move every two years, so it will be exciting to visit new venues as a part of the tournament season!

This will be our fourth year of Division I/Division II for the Intercollegiates, with some changes made at the Division I level to manage the number of horses needed for the NIC. Division II will be more competitive this year as well, as a result of these improvements. Expect to see some amazing play at all levels!

We have also added a new award for all tournaments –Best Turned-Out String. This award will be selected by the host tournament committee and will recognize the string with the best presentation of overall horse care, to include health, fitness and equipment care.

The 2024 USPA Open and Girls’ National Interscholastic Championships were held at Brookshire Polo Club. Houston Polo Club, coached by Mark Prinsloo, and the Maryland Polo Club, coached by Kelly Wells, were crowned the open and girls’ national champions respectively. Joe Bob Lequerica (Houston) received the Horsemanship Award for the open division and Rory Knox (Maryland) received the award for the girls’ division.

The 2024 Division II National Intercollegiate Championship was hosted by Central Coast Polo Club. Tough competition led to a win by Cornell, coached by Tony Condo, for the men and Colorado State University, coached by Andrew Wildermuth, for the women. Horsemanship Award winners were Benito Jaramillo (Cornell) for the men and Kylie Kufahl (Grossmont) for the women.

The 2024 Division I National Intercollegiate Championship was hosted by the Virginia Polo Center. 2024 winners were University of North Texas, coached by Vaughn Miller Sr., for the men and University of Virginia, coached by Lou Lopez, for the women. Horsemanship Award winners were Clark Mayer (SMU) for the men and Kaylin Bender (USC-Aiken) for the women.

Several important contributors to I/I polo were recognized at the USPA governors’ meetings in Denver this fall. The 2024 I/I awards were presented to Tom Goodspeed (I/I Lifetime Achievement Award), CJ Schnier (Service Award) and Ryan Saul (Young Alumni Award). See page 61 for more details on these deserving individuals.

We appreciate all of the coaches, players, staff, umpires and parents that make I/I polo possible. We also continue to stress the importance of our equine partners and have worked to institute education and awards that recognize the horses, but also the players and teams that demonstrate they know how to ride and care for them. The Horsemanship Awards, highlighted above, recognize players that not only play their horses well, but care for them before and after the games. In addition, the new Best Turned-out String award is designed to recognize programs and teams that provide top-notch care throughout the season (not just a new saddle pad for the games!).

We are truly thankful to all of those who participate and the amazing horses we rely on. You are all a part of the future of polo!

USPA I/I Chair, Liz Brayboy

2024 USPA DIVISION I NATIONAL

INTERCOLLEGIATE CHAMPIONS

MEN

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS: Niklaus Felhaber, John Dencker, Vance Miller III and Mosiah Gravesande with coach Vaughn Miller Sr., center

Oanna Moore

WOMEN

UNIVERSITY

VIRGINIA:

OF

Mackenzie Craig, Alana Benz, Lea Jih-Vieira, Philippa Harris and Hannah Thomas with coach Lou Lopez, center

Oanna Moore

2024 USPA DIVISION II NATIONAL

INTERCOLLEGIATE CHAMPIONS

MEN

CORNELL UNIVERSITY: Michael Lovier, Benito Jaramillo, Patricio

Fraga-Errecart, Eduardo Palacios-Garcia with coach Tony Condo, left

Kaile Roos

WOMEN

COLORADO STATE: Elyse Warren, Sara Eggenberger, Willow

Longerbeam, Lily Nelson with coaches Stephen Coleman, left, and Andrew Wildermuth, center

Kaile Roos

2024 DIVISION II - INTERCOLLEGIATE

NORTHEASTERN REGION - Men

Cornell University

Benito Jaramillo, Eduardo Palacios-Garcia, Harrison Fredericks, Michael Lovier, Patricio Fraga-Errecart

Coach: Tony Condo

SOUTHEASTERN REGION - Men

Georgetown University

Ford Middendorf, Benedikt Jaenecke, Max Gundlach, Alfonso Pla Zobel de Ayala

Coach: Gus Fraga-Errecart

NORTHEASTERN REGION - Women

Cornell University

Charlotte Book, Lara Chong, Sam Symons, Ava Ramachandran, Isabelle Braden

Coach: Tony Condo

SOUTHEASTERN REGION - Women

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Heidi Zahnleuter, Elizabeth Lalor, Lindsey Samuelsen, Emma Vigy, Jessica Chudy

Coach: Carol Jean Schnier

REGIONALS

CENTRAL REGION - Men

Texas Tech University

Camden Kolb, Cole Faires, Robert Grayson

Price, Ameer Khan

Coach: Ashley Owen

WESTERN REGION - Men

Stanford University

Rodolfo Morelos, Amado Shrestha, Will Coors

Coach: Erich Schloss

CENTRAL REGION - Women

Colorado State University

Willow Longerbeam, Elyse Warren, Sara Eggenberger, Lily Nelson

Coach: Andrew Wildermuth and Stephen Coleman

WESTERN REGION - Women

Grossmont College

Kylie Kufahl, Abigail Purdy, Zoey Newton

Coach: Nicole and Darin Bankhead

2024 USPA NATIONAL

INTERSCHOLASTIC CHAMPIONS 2024 USPA INTERSCHOLASTIC CHAMPIONS

OPEN

HOUSTON POLO CLUB: Asa Gangjee, Judah Altic, Joe Bob Lequerica and Lily Lequerica with coach Mark Prinsloo and assistant coach Shane Rice, center

David Murrell

GIRLS’

MARYLAND POLO CLUB: Kylie Beard, Sierra Blevins, Rory Knox and Izzy Brockett with coach Kelly Wells, center

David Murrell

2024 INTERSCHOLASTIC

NORTHEASTERN REGION - Open

Yale Polo & Equestrian Center

Sophia DeAngelis, Naomi Marlough, Malachi Light, PJ Deangelis

Coach: Julian Penados

SOUTHEASTERN REGION - Open

Maryland Polo Club

Jonathan Dingus, Russell Calkins, Mya Quarcoopome, Kylie Williamson

Coach: Kelly Wells

NORTHEASTERN REGION - Girls’

Kingswood Polo Club

Brooke Henehan, Brynn Whitten, Ava Croce, Finley Guenther

Coach: Federico Wulff

SOUTHEASTERN REGION - Girls’ Maryland Polo Club

Kylie Beard, Sierra Blevins, Rory Knox, Izzy Brockett

Coach: Kelly Wells

REGIONALS

CENTRAL REGION - Open

Houston Polo Club

Judah Altic, Lily Lequerica, Joe Bob Lequerica, Tomas Tejera, Asa Gangjee

Coach: Mark Prinsloo

WESTERN REGION - Open

Lakeside Polo Club

Cameron Munteanu, Faris Hanna, Kylie Matthews, Luca Abboud, Sebastian Lopez

Coach: Nicole and Darin Bankhead

CENTRAL REGION - Girls’

Hillside Polo Club

Olivia Schmidt, Kylie Lieven, Kendall Nackers, Leilani Biondich

Coach: Margie Paur

WESTERN REGION - Girls’

Maui Polo Club

Leah Melzer, Emily Coflin, Jade Hiltbrand

Coach: Herman-Louis Decoite

2024 INTERSCHOLASTIC

NORTHEASTERN PRELIM I - Open

Kingswood Polo Club

Jacques Cauchon, Emerson Bruce, Isabel Poniatowski, Estanislao Robledo Puch

Coach: Federico Wulff

NORTHEASTERN PRELIM II - Open

Gardnertown Polo Club

Indiana Meyer, Alexis Palacios-Garcia, Adam Wallace, Travis Soto

Coach: Bill and Will Dencker

SOUTHEASTERN PRELIM I - Open

Maryland Polo Club

Jonathan Dingus, Mya Quarcoopome, Kylie Williamson, Russell Calkins

Coach: Kelly Wells

SOUTHEASTERN PRELIM II - Open

Aiken Polo Club

Bee Dollens, Nika Piper, Sallie Dollens, Whitten Greene

Coach: Tiger Kneece

CENTRAL PRELIM - Open

Flat Out

Caroline Fabus, Timothy Morris, Carter VanDeven, Aleah Arthur

Coach: Paul and Sarah Knapp

PRELIMS

WESTERN PRELIM I - Open

Waiki’i’ Polo Club

Charles Tang, Ethan Matsui, Benjamin Tang, Paxton Best

Coach: Jed Ednie

WESTERN PRELIM II - Open

South Bay JV Polo Club

Matthew Werner, Emily Rubin, Francisca Lili Busch

Coach: Francesca Finato

NORTHEASTERN PRELIM - Girls’

CNY Polo Club

Aly Paciorek, Alyssa Manns, Margaret Shipe

Coach: Emily Bold

SOUTHEASTERN PRELIM - Girls’

Garrison Forest JV

Georgia Bray, Charlotte Allen, Josie Allen, Izzy Solter, Emma Paternotte

Coach: Jenny Schwartz

WESTERN PRELIM - Girls’

Maui JV Polo Club

Indiana Dukes, Elise Hollingsworth, Campbell Bintliff, Chloe Fischer

Coach: Herman-Louis Decoite

MIDDLE SCHOOL LEAGUE

NORTHEASTERN

Yale Polo Club

BRONZE: Elliot Harris, Robin Reyes, Reed Thomas

NORTHEASTERN

Greater Niagara Polo Club

GREATER NIAGARA: Trenton Alexander, Allie Virag, Ewan Reles

SOUTHEASTERN

Garrison Forest School

GARRISON FOREST: Emma Paternotte, Brinley Forrester, Olivia Leighton

SOUTHEASTERN

Marlan Farm Polo Club

MARLAN FARM BLUE: Brianna Willimason, Ana Grace Karpovich, George Buck

CENTRAL REGION

Midland Polo Club

EVERGREEN EQUINE: Everett Owen, Emrey Owen

FALL 2023

WESTERN

Lakeside Polo Club

OC POLO: Penny Steffens, Sara Weber, Josie Geiler Allen, Ellie Waller

WESTERN

Central Coast Polo Club

CENTRAL COAST: Natalie Festing, Zayd Byrd, Sherwood Dunham

WESTERN

Sutter Buttes Polo Club

GLACE ICE: Sherwood Dunham, Alejandra Sequeira, Madeline Klomhaus, Gregory McCluskey

SPRING 2024

NORTHEASTERN

Yale Polo Club

HARVARD: Finn O’Keeffe, Robin Reyes, Alessandra O’Keefe

SOUTHEASTERN

Liberty Hall Polo Club

LIBERTY HALL: Joseph Ferguson, Daniel Coleman Jr., Hazel Nash

CENTRAL

Midland Polo Club

MIDLAND MEAN: Story Williams, Emrey Owen, RJ Ramos

WESTERN

Sutter Buttes Polo Club

WESTERN TRENCHING: Lauren Plumer, Violet Rubin, Sherwood Dunham, Mahie Sharma

WESTERN

Poway Polo Club

POLODEO RANCH: Woody Dunham, Jacob Lutz, Shelby Kokjohn, Melia Huntoon

HIGH POINT

The I/I Middle School League launched a point system for the 2023-2024 middle school season. Players who competed in middle school tournaments earned points for participation, winning a tournament and earning an all-star, sportsmanship or horsemanship award. High Point award winners were named in each grade level and an Overall High Point Award winner was crowned.

Congratulations to the 2024 Middle School High Point Award winners!

FIFTH GRADE

Robin Reyes Harvard

SIXTH GRADE

Lauren Plumer Sutter Buttes

SEVENTH GRADE - Tie

Jack Thompson

Yale

EIGTH GRADE

Finn O’Keeffe Boston Polo

Violet Rubin Sutter Buttes

Alejandra Sequeira Sutter Buttes

OVERALL HIGH POINT

Woody Dunham South Bay

Oana Moore

PTF STEPHEN A. ORTHWEIN

MALE INTERCOLLEGIATE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

John Dencker

University of North Texas

“That feeling of community I grew up with is why I love polo. Of course, it’s fun to play, but that’s not what has kept me involved all this time.”

Horses have always been a massive part of my life. Growing up at Gardnertown Farms and Polo Club in Newburgh, New York, my life has always revolved around horses. Everyone in my family could ride from a young age—hunters, jumpers and polo. However, nothing interested me until my dad [Bill Dencker] found other boys, Mateo and Pierre Chaux, to play with in hopes we could one day start an I/I team.

My dad recruited my friends from school, like Joe Post and Matt Forbes, so that I would want to be part of the interscholastic team. He built this incredible program with kids from all over, establishing two open teams and a girls’ team. He worked hard to win the 2021 Open National Interscholastic Championship title and had the honor of both Mateo Chaux and Winston Painter being named PTF male interscholastic players of the year in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

My dad and Dan Scott (my godfather) coached all of us from the first day we started polo, and they have never stopped coaching. I remember the weekday practices with all our teams, and the fun we used to have. I remember getting pizza after practice, doing homework late at night and all the guys staying over our house on the weekend to ride. We went to polo camp in the summers, where we might have had too much freedom.

We all got really invested in the dream our coaches had to win a national title. When we started at the age of 11, there was no such thing as middle school polo. Our first game was against a high school team, and we were thoroughly outmatched. The kids that followed us were lucky enough to play in the first-ever USPA middle school tournament held at Gardnertown.

That feeling of community I grew up with is why I love polo. Of course, it’s fun to play, but that’s not what has

kept me involved all this time. As I got older, I started to grasp the horsemanship of the sport a lot more than I did when I was 11. What I really learned to love about I/I was horsemanship and the relationship with the horses. After high school, I decided to pursue polo in college. I ended up at Roger Williams University, but the team there dissipated, so I reluctantly finished the year and went home, unsure of my next steps. I took some local classes, hoping to apply to schools in the spring.

The University of North Texas polo coach Vaughn Miller called me two weeks before spring classes started and convinced me to come for a tour. I ended up moving across the country a week later to start classes. I spent three years in Texas, finishing school and playing polo at UNT. The Millers took me in and made me feel like family after moving far away from home. It was my honor to be on two Intercollegiate men’s national title teams during my time there. I enjoyed playing with many great people over the years at UNT, such as Vance and Vaughn Miller, Niklaus Felhaber, Andrew Scott and Mosiah Gravesande.

The biggest inspiration I’ve had in polo has been my father. His love and commitment to the sport has always been inspiring. He loves teaching polo and the horsemanship that comes with it. He’s always striving to do more and spread the sport he loves. He’s the hardest worker I know, and I strive to match his work ethic in all life pursuits.

I’d like to give special thanks to Chris Green, Duncan Huyler, Jeff Heeder, Anne Harnes and Janet Durso for their support over the years. I would never have been able to pursue this sport I love without the support of my family, coaches, teammates, friends and especially my mother, father, sisters and brother.

Kaile Roos

I/I GOES INTERNATIONAL

USPA I/I VS SUPA BRITAIN - 2024

My name is Benito Jaramillo. I was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador, and now I am studying at Cornell University (Ithaca, NY). I have played polo all my life. A big part of my decision to study in the U.S. had to do with the opportunity to participate in I/I polo and all that it represents.

Being selected to play for the U.S. team against the British Schools and Universities Polo Association (SUPA) team came to me as a delightful surprise. I had heard amazing things about the previous trips and was really looking forward to partaking in this experience. The tournament was in Wellington, Florida, and it was right at the time when the high-goal season was coming to an end.

The day I arrived, I had the opportunity to attend some of the USPA meetings that addressed things that had happened, as well as new ideas for the following years. It was amazing to see how hard people work to make the sport that we all love into something great. After the meetings, we went to the hotel to meet the rest of the U.S. team, and the amazing team that came from the U.K. to play against us. After knowing all the players on the U.S. team (Clark Mayer, Will Coors and Taylor Nackers) for almost two years as rivals, it was an exciting experience to finally be able to play with them on the same team. At the same time, being able to meet players from the U.K. and becoming good friends with them is something that only a sport like this can give you.

I always think of the quote from Winston Churchill that says, “A polo handicap is a passport to the world” and I stand by it. The second day, we had our practice game, in which we were able to try the horses we were going to play, and had an opportunity to accommodate ourselves as a team. It is amazing how people work so hard for us to

have amazing experiences like this. The horses provided by Ola Polo Company were amazing, and the entire organization was a unique experience. After the practice games, we had some time to explore Palm Beach and were able to visit some tack and polo stores. Spending time with both teams led us all to become really close. It is amazing how a passion for the same sport can lead very different people together.

The day of the game started early. We all got ready at the hotel and left for Palm City Polo Club (Boynton Beach, Florida) the amazing host club for that weekend. We sat down and had a talk about the game plan with our coach, Brendon Stenzel. We made sure the horses we had tried the day before were ready, and we helped to get them tacked up. Since the team consisted of four players and the game was four chukkers long, each one of us had to sit out one chukker. Our coach helped us assign each chukker, and it was decided that I should sit out the first chukker and play the final three. It was a hard-fought game, but at the end, the British team was able to take the win.

Nevertheless, it was an amazing experience. It’s not every day that you get to play in Florida on such good horses and in an amazing arena. After the game, we had the awards ceremony where awards to players, horses and people that had an impact on the I/I world were awarded.

Benito Jaramillo - Cornell ‘26

2024 USPA I/I International Team: Taylor Nackers (Kentucky), Will Coors (Stanford), Clark Mayer (SMU) and Benito Jaramillo (Cornell), with coach Brendon Stenzel

It was a heartwarming moment in which to think and treasure. After the game, we all went to Top Golf and enjoyed the afternoon among us.

That evening, we headed to NPC where we were invited to an Argentine style asado with some of the USPA’s board members. It is always nice to share a space with people that share the love for the sport as you do. Coming from another country, it is amazing how everyone is so welcoming and eager to learn your story.

That Sunday, we were lucky the final of the U.S. Open was happening that day. We were able to see two amazing teams battle it out at the highest level. It was an amazing opportunity to be selected to play in this tournament. I truly want to thank all of the people that made this possible and work every day to give us the best experience of college polo. None of this would be possible without the support of the USPA. It is now one of my favorite and fondest memories of I/I polo that I will never forget.

Good Luck St. Louis Girls’!

Vanessa Hilinksi

AND SO IT BEGINS!

My First I/I Experience

My name is Jacob Lutz. Being in seventh grade, I am the youngest teammate on the Poway Open team, and I would like to share my first I/I experience. In October, our Poway teams traveled to Central Coast Polo Club for seven long hours to play in the Polo Training Foundationfunded Mustang Madness, which includes qualifying games for the 2024-25 I/I season. Our open team consists of five players: my sister Bethel and me, Ellie, Tessa and Alex. Pertinaciously and indefatigably, we played against two teams, South Bay Open Varsity and Cal Poly Women. In addition, our team attended a Patrick Uretz clinic. He played I/I, and is a 7-goaler in the arena. Attending an umpire clinic helped my dad learn about umpiring since he plays polo as well. To experience Mustang Madness is to experience the horses, the clinic feedback and the social aspect of I/I.

Horse swapping in I/I games ensures fairness and also brings challenges. The most challenging aspect of riding other horses is mastering them in a competitive game. Uretz pointed out that even if you have the absolute worst horse that you have ever ridden, it could be someone’s favorite horse, whether it is a hot horse or a lazy horse. Riding these unfamiliar horses against my opponents is the fun part for me. The horses that I rode were Taqueria, Jaws, Pixel and Baby Shark. Taqueria was tall, had a soft mouth, was easy to rate, quick and congenial. Jaws was taller than Taqueria, also had a soft mouth, was easy to rate and was quick. Pixel was a slower and shorter horse, who also had a soft mouth. Finally, Baby Shark she was a short, hot, quick and soft-mouthed horse. Observing my two favorite horses (Taqueria and Jaws), I noticed they shared the common trait of being handy, which means that I could stop, turn and accelerate very quickly.

Mustang Madness is all about developing new and experienced I/I players to become more effective on the playing field, which is why it has a video review with former or current professionals. Viewing our tournament videos with Uretz allowed him to review our mistakes and suggest improvements for the next game. Most

Jacob Lutz - Poway Interscholastic

memorably, he mentioned that horsemanship is the key to playing better polo, especially in I/I. If we learn how to ride our horses more efficiently, then we can ride other people’s horses more competently. During the review, Uretz complimented us by mentioning how we had good wall-formation and accurate penalty shots. Improving our gameplay was the main purpose of the clinic. Generously and fastidiously, Uretz reviewed our team’s videos and edified us where to improve. He emphasized for our team to be on the inside of the wall, clarified the penalty shot preparations, advocated for speaking up for any tack or horse problem, advised us to pass the ball to the offside of our teammates and encouraged us to push our line harder. Hearing these suggestions, my team played much more competitively for the rest of the weekend.

The I/I program develops horsemanship and strengthens teamwork; moreover, it builds social skills. Famously and culturally, Winston Churchill once said, “A polo handicap is a passport to the world,” since polo players are invited to compete all around the world.

Starting polo in 2022, I have met so many new people just by playing a weekend of Mustang Madness. Even though the teams are fast and competitive, everyone was still encouraging and polite. Having team-building exercises was also important. Despite the physical fatigue, the ardent and fervent team spirit manifested in our team dinners while we conversed about strategy, horse scores and feedback. Staying with a man in the lineup was a feedback for myself based on my own observation. Notably, my good performance resulted in me being able to score a goal for the team. The Cal Poly polo team also hosted a fundraiser dinner for all of the teams to socialize and mingle.

The most momentous and meaningful part of my first I/I experience was playing with other young players outside of my club, which improved my skills. I look forward to implementing what I learned from Mustang Madness this I/I season.

FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH

Virginia Tech’s Kafu

When the Polo Club at Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, Virginia) was first established, it was a small group with only a handful of members and horses. One of those original ponies was Kafu, a bay Thoroughbred gelding whose legacy would come to define the club for over a decade. Originally from the Seneca Polo Club in Poolesville, Maryland, Kafu wasn’t known for his speed, but rather for his energy and spunk. His heart made him a perfect fit for the Polo Club at Virginia Tech, where he would leave an indelible mark.

The exact details are lost to time, but at some point Kafu became the first club-owned pony. This meant that he stayed with the club year-round while the rest of the ponies returned to their owners for the summer polo seasons. He was cared for entirely by students of Virginia Tech, spending his summers doing whatever the students did—jumping fences, taking trail rides and stick-and-ball sessions, to name a few activities. If there was a game to be played or an adventure to be had, Kafu was always ready. Well, almost always. He had a mischievous streak and was known to lose a rider or two on the trails!

Despite his occasional antics, he remained a solid polo pony, who could be trusted with beginners and seasoned varsity members alike. As the years passed, Kafu grew older and was more reliable. He became a quieter, steadier presence in the arena and a more dependable companion on the trails. His straightforward, kind nature was at the core of his success in the club’s I/I program, and it was this spirit that earned him the affection of all of those who rode him.

Now, after more than a decade of service to the club, Kafu is finally entering a well-deserved retirement. He leaves behind a legacy of service and dedication, having been a vital part of a club that has grown from humble beginnings. The growth of the Polo Club at Virginia Tech would not have been possible without the horses who have been the backbone of the club, and Kafu played a pivotal role in shaping that success.

Emory Faison - Virginia Tech ‘23 Shannon Carney - Virginia Tech ‘17

It’s a remarkable milestone for the club to retire its first clubowned horse, and its members are filled with gratitude for the countless lessons Kafu has taught all of us over the years. He has challenged us, supported us, carried us through our wins and losses, and, most importantly, loved us. His place in the heart of the club is secure, and we are privileged to have shared so many memories with him.

In his retirement, Kafu now enjoys a much quieter life. He spends his days as a beloved lesson pony, enjoying leisurely rides, snuggling with kids and grazing contentedly. His days of polo are behind him, but his presence is still felt in the barn, where he remains, keeping a watchful eye on the club’s progress from right across the aisle, offering his quiet wisdom as the next generation of players grows and learns.

Kafu has more than earned this peaceful chapter in his life, and we are so grateful that he remains a part of the club’s family at the barn. As we move forward, we hope to honor his legacy by building on the foundation he helped to establish—a legacy of service, commitment and the enduring bond between horse and rider. At Virginia Tech, our motto is Ut Prosim: That I May Serve. It is a reminder to be selfless and dedicate ourselves to the betterment of the world and those around us. Few horses could teach us what Ut Prosim really means as well as Kafu has. Here’s to another decade of growth and success, with Kafu’s spirit guiding us every step of the way.

CHUKKER BREAK Trick or Treat!

The VA Tech polo team hosts an annual Chukker Treat as a fundraiser and community event where the students and ponies dress up and invite local families to come trick or treating at the barn! There is candy, cider, pumpkin painting and lots of ponies to pet. This event allows the team to interact with their local community and put on a really fun event for them, and it serves as a great fundraiser for the club! Featured here is Pandora who is on loan from Juliette Powers and Reeze Zimmerman.

Images of Polo

PTF DANIEL J. WALLACE JR.

FEMALE INTERCOLLEGIATE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Lea Jih-Vieira

University of Virginia

“I

am so grateful to intercollegiate polo for giving me

some of my most cherished memories ... My journey has given me the unique opportunity to be a part of three different I/I programs, and I have gained lifelong friends from every one of them.”

My name is Lea Jih-Vieira, and I am truly honored to have been chosen to be the Daniel J. Wallace Jr. Female Intercollegiate Player of the Year. This recognition is not only a highlight of my polo journey, but also a testament to the support and encouragement I have received along the way.

I started polo as a middle schooler at Mountain View Polo (Charles Town, West Virginia) and was instantly hooked. I loved the controlled chaos and aggression of the game, as well as the feeling of being on a team. However, there was always one big thing holding me back: my lefthandedness. My below average hand-eye coordination definitely left me frustrated at times, but it never crossed my mind to quit. I simply needed to work twice as hard to keep up with everyone else and was happy to do it.

Transitioning to intercollegiate polo at Cornell University was difficult in the beginning, as everyone was that much quicker, more accurate and more aggressive. But it was exhilarating to be able to play against so many talented women. Soon the pieces started falling into place and I was finally able to ride the horses better and see the plays slow down. When I reached my senior year of college, I could not help but feel unfinished, especially since I lost a year due to COVID-19. This feeling is what led me to take a leap of faith and finish out my last year of eligibility at the University of Virginia.

I was definitely nervous about adjusting to a new program and a new team in the span of one year, but Virginia Polo’s community immediately welcomed me with open arms. The program pushed me like I had never been

pushed before, both mentally and physically. Winning the national championship was a dream I had been chasing since I was a young girl, and I am so grateful I was able to support such a wonderful team to victory.

That success meant so much more to me than simply winning the trophy. Since the beginning, I always struggled to feel like I could compete against the girls around me. I could not help but feel like I was always playing catch-up due to my left-handedness. But, as I improved over the years, I realized that it was no longer my body holding me back; it was my mind. I had to face my lack of confidence head-on this past year and overcome it to show up for my team. Thankfully, I did not have to do it alone. My teammates, coaching staff and friends all believed in me, even when I struggled to. I will forever be thankful to them for giving me the gift of confidence.

I am so grateful to intercollegiate polo for giving me some of my most cherished memories. It has not just been my biggest stress reliever from classes, but a place I could be my most uninhibited, passionate self. My journey has given me the unique opportunity to be a part of three different I/I programs, and I have gained lifelong friends from every one of them. We spent many hours cleaning tack, body clipping the horses and mucking the barn. Countless meals, grocery trips and study sessions have been shared with my teammates, and all of that time spent together could be felt in the arena. That bond is unique to I/I polo, and I am thankful that I was privileged to experience it throughout my career.

Thank you again for this honor!

COACHES’ CORNER

GUIDING THE CHARGE: Colorado State’s

Andrew Wildermuth & Stephen Coleman

Sara Eggenberger - Colorado State ‘25

Behind every successful intercollegiate team are a few dedicated individuals, who care deeply about their players’ success, both on and off the field, more than they would ever admit. At Colorado State University, coach Andrew Wildermuth and advisor Dr. Stephen Coleman embody this dedication, having played monumental roles in transforming CSU’s polo team. These two leaders push the team to excel in polo and guide players to grow as individuals in their personal lives, creating an environment that fosters hard work, perseverance and camaraderie.

Polo at Colorado State University is one of the oldest club sports, established in 1931. As one of the pioneering programs at CSU, polo has a rich history with a series of highs and lows, but leaders like Wildermuth and Coleman have elevated the program to new heights.

Wildermuth, a CSU alum from the class of 2016, has served as the head varsity coach for the past three years. His influence has been pivotal to the team’s recent achievements. Under his leadership, the CSU women’s polo team won their first national title in the 2023-24 season—a milestone that has redefined what the team is capable of achieving. Wildermuth’s commitment to the team is evident as he commutes from Denver to Fort Collins in all kinds of weather. Despite the two-hour drive, he consistently shows up, channeling the dedication he expects from his players. A former player himself, Wildermuth knows firsthand what it takes to reach the pinnacle of collegiate polo, having been part of the CSU men’s team that won the National Intercollegiate Championship in 2015. Knowing the difficulties of keeping this club alive as a

Kaile Roos

student-run organization and having him continuously offer a lending hand postgraduation has been deeply appreciated.

Meanwhile, Coleman, a professor at CSU since 2015, took on the role of polo advisor in October 2020. His leadership has been invaluable, especially during the turbulent times of COVID-19, when his steady guidance helped the team navigate numerous challenges. Coleman’s dedication goes beyond the game itself; he travels with the team to tournaments, ensures the well-being of the polo herd during breaks and motivates players in all circumstances. His unwavering support and wise counsel are a constant source of strength for the team.

During a pivotal regional game, he shared words with the women’s team, saying, “No matter what happens, I am so proud of all of you.” This encouragement became a driving force, culminating in the team’s Division II National Championship win just a month later. With seconds left on the clock, the team lined up for their final play, fittingly named, “The Coleman Special,” and clinched the victory that marked a historic moment for CSU polo.

Together, Wildermuth and Coleman have laid a foundation of excellence and resilience for CSU polo. Their commitment to the sport and each team member

is evident in every practice, every tournament and every pep talk. Their impact extends beyond the field, inspiring players to strive for greatness in every area of their lives.

As CSU polo continues to grow, the team and community are profoundly grateful for the unwavering support of these two exceptional mentors. Wildermuth and Coleman have set a standard of dedication and passion that will influence CSU polo for years to come as they continue to guide the charge moving forward.

Garrison Forest School

Polo Program

Garrison Forest School is one of only two schools and the only girls’ school in the United States to offer polo.

Our Residential Life program is offered for national and international girls in grades 8-12.

Advisor Stephen Coleman, left, and coach Andrew Wildermuth, center, with the 2024 USPA Women’s Division II National Intercollegiate Champions, Colorado State University.

Kaile Roos

50 YEARS OF SKIDMORE POLO

Surviving and Thriving

Tabitha Orthwein - Skidmore ‘91

When Skidmore student Jed Lavitt (’77) thought it would be fun to stick and ball on his not-so-calm hunter-jumper at Skidmore’s Van Lennep Riding Center in fall 1974, he had no idea that he was launching a tradition that would connect and inspire college students for years to come. Local polo player Paul Kant spotted Lavitt’s mallets in the tack room and left a note on them saying: If you’re interested in playing polo, contact me.

“So, I got in touch with Paul, who was willing to truck his horses up, and with Chris Smith, director of riding at Skidmore, and in January of 1975, I mailed the application for club status to the USPA. I think that I wrote the check as well,” recalled Lavitt.

Lavitt, together with Stan Kozlowski (’77), Leighton Jordan (’78) and Sean Colquhoun (’78), founded the club. Each year at Skidmore polo alumni weekend, they present the Founder’s Cup to an outstanding student whose unselfish dedication and initiative mirrors their efforts and visions of the Skidmore polo program.

Back then, twice per week, coach Kant, often accompanied by his young son Wayne, would load up horses, laden with thick winter fur, and drive 20 miles, regardless of weather, to and from Van Lennep to run practices for the fledgling team. Kant, forever a character,

named his horses after vegetables. Parsnips was part of the first string of ponies and inspired the Parsnips Grass Roots Award, given annually at Skidmore polo alumni weekend to honor a horse who has been a best playing pony or one who has been a soldier in carrying beginner players.

In fall 1976, Doe Ingram (’78), Collette Riefer (’80), Wendy Collins (’80), Jane Comins (’79) and Gina Lancaster (’80) were the first women to join the club.

“Being a member of the first women’s team, singlehandedly, was the most important experience I had in college. Aside from the lifelong friendships I made, I also made connections that were beneficial throughout my career … I can’t imagine my life today, without that exposure so long ago.” Collins said.

The biggest event of the early years commenced on Oct. 8, 1977—coincidentally, the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Saratoga—when the Oxford University polo team arrived in Saratoga, “armed with mallets instead of muskets,” to challenge the Skidmore polo men’s team as part of a tour in honor of Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee. The veteran British team, with 108 years of history, met the infant team, formed just three years earlier. The American team, with cocaptains Jordan and Colquhoun, Andrew

The 1988 Skidmore Polo Teams

Philbrick (’80) and Paul Oberschneider (’80), played in front of a sold-out crowd, emerging victorious by a score of 9-6.

In the early 1980s, the women’s team advanced to nationals. “We worked long hours, taking care of our string of old ponies, with limited equipment, but we persevered to the semifinals of the intercollegiate championships in California,” recalled team member Vanessa Kennedy (’84).

In1984, Skidmore hired Sue Knight as fulltime coach and the club attracted a number of students with previous polo experience. The teams proved to be strong competitors and Thom Lach (’87) was named Intercollegiate Player of the Year. That same year, Skidmore polo supporters raised funds to build additional stalls at the Van Lennep stables to house a string of ponies. Under Knight’s leadership, the string grew to be quite spectacular, highlighted by greats, including Hector, Luke, Brassie and Chingolo, to name a few. Building a fleet of suitable intercollegiate ponies is one of the keys to long-term success.

Unexpectedly, Skidmore polo faced new challenges in spring 1988 when a change in presidential leadership at the college prompted a review of the program. The ponies remained at Van Lennep, but polo became a club sport under the Student Government Association with a small budget for travel and USPA dues. When the coaching position was reduced to parttime, Knight resigned and new graduate Holly Holleran (’88) took the position.

Building upon the relationships she had formed with her teammates, Holleran coached the women’s team to a national championship in 1989. This was Skidmore College’s first ever national championship in any sport and it was an exciting time. Additionally, Loring Piper (’89) was named Intercollegiate Player of the Year. The following year, both the women’s and men’s teams competed at nationals in Fort Worth, Texas. The women were unsuccessful in defending their championship and the men placed third.

After the 1990 season, local polo player Richard Kucik took over as coach. The club was doing well, with solid varsity men’s and women’s teams and a JV feeder team coached by varsity players and volunteers in the early mornings. Will Orthwein (’92) was selected to compete on a USPA collegiate team in Argentina and was also awarded Intercollegiate Player of the Year.

Despite being a successful program, the college administration further reduced support for the program by cutting the coaching salary entirely and denying the club use of Van Lennep

1990 USPA Northeastern Intercollegiate Regional Winners: Will Orthwein, Gavin Bowie, Manuel Cisneros and Alejandro Payan with coach Holly Holleran

The Parsnips Grass Roots Award honors a Skidmore pony yearly

Churrinche with the 1988 Skidmore Women’s team

stables. To survive, the club had to find another facility and operate 100% as a club sport. Orthwein and teammate Randall Grace (’93) made it their mission to find a way to make it happen.

“Despite polo supporters raising money and building 12 additional stalls to house our horses at the Van Lennep Stables, the team was told to leave the stables in my senior year,” said Orthwein. “At that time, I was the president of the polo club. I went before the SGA senate and was overwhelmed by the support the senators showed in helping fund polo’s future at the college. The administration told us to take our horses and leave, thinking that the club would be dead in a years’ time.”

They were wrong! Orthwein and Grace found a vacant barn and small indoor arena about 10 miles from campus, negotiated a lease and moved the polo ponies. Orthwein and current students were responsible for managing all horse care and programming and financing it with the SGA club budget and dues. The program continued, but with a lot more required of the students, alums and local volunteers.

Between 1992 and 2016, Skidmore polo occupied 10 equine facilities. It was a constant struggle to keep the program running. During those turbulent years, there were so many dedicated volunteer coaches, including Cornell polo alum David Zeliger, Paul Safron, Mike Vanderwerken, Kim Durling, Mike Brooks, Lexie Marquis, UConn polo alum Rachel Ward, Courtenay Harmes Shohfi, Pete and

Melissa Blackbird, Will Orthwein, myself and a slew of dedicated students.

Somehow, in March 2008, Dan Haro (’10) orchestrated an exhibition game back at the Van Lennep stables that attracted a large number of students and local fans and was a highlight of the decade.

In response to challenges created by the cycle of students graduating every four years and taking their knowledge and experience with them, a Skidmore polo alumni advisory board was formed in early 2014 to help retain organizational memory and provide mentorship to student leaders.

In fall 2014, Skidmore polo moved to its current home at Bloomfield Farm, owned and operated by Will and me. Moving to a polo-focused facility, located minutes from campus, marked a return to brighter days even though Bloomfield does not have an indoor arena, which presents a challenge for the winter season. From 2014 to 2019, the club leased stalls at a variety of facilities with small indoor arenas during the winter. It was expensive, conditions were freezing cold, the quality of polo was poor because facilities were not built for polo, and students were on winter recess for much of December and January, complicating matters. Post-pandemic, the club ceased to rent winter barns. Horses are now either turned out or placed in suitable lease situations for the winter. Some of Skidmore ponies have been loaned to UConn polo for the past two winters.

Certified Equine Appraisals

The brightness of 2014 didn’t last long though as the college once again diminished its support of the club by ceasing to accept the donation of horses for the polo team. Administrators told the club and core supportive alumni to form an independent 501c3 nonprofit organization to work with the polo team and process donations within three years or the team would be dechartered. Additionally, in 2015, the SGA proposed cutting the club’s budget entirely. Saving the program this time took enormous support from students, alumni and the polo community at large. Students rallied successfully for continuation of the club, but with a reduced budget and a requirement to be reevaluated in 2019.

“The polo club has been through rough times. Awareness of those difficulties and how to overcome them, combined with qualities of passion, tenacity and courage of the team members, have kept the program going through these tough times,” said Jennifer Donnelly (’90), who played on the women’s national championship team and has never missed a Skidmore polo reunion.

With the Skidmore polo alumni advisory board taking the lead, alumni rallied too. This actively-engaged group, with a variety of backgrounds, was at the ready and essential in establishing the 501c3 Equine Polo Instructional Center in January 2016, well ahead of the deadline set by the college. The mentorship of Yale polo alumna Liz Brayboy, who had been a driving force in forming a nonprofit for Yale polo, was essential in forming EPIC.

In August 2016, the burden of fighting for the club’s existence was lifted and five students, accompanied by Lavitt, embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Tianjin, China, for an invitational tournament at Goldin Metropolitan Club. Students were responsible for their own airfare and all other expenses were paid by the host club. Once again, having active alumni made this trip possible as current coaches were not available to chaperone the trip. In 2018 and 2019, respectively, Aaron Schneider (’19) and Liam Lott (’20) were selected to represent the USA in the USPA International Intercollegiate Challenge Cup matches.

As required by the SGA, the club was reviewed in March 2019 with favorable results. Aside from 2020, when the pandemic shut down all activities, the club has been operating smoothly. Both the men’s and women’s teams returned to the national stage in 2022, competing at the inaugural USPA Division II National Intercollegiate Championship. The club was honored to have both Freida Witmer (’22) and Finn O’Malia (’22) bring home the coveted Horsemanship Awards and Ben Bruce (’23) and Justin Hall (’23) named as all-stars.

Regardless of the ups and downs, every spring culminates with club-wide fun in our infamous intraclub tournament and annual Skidmore polo alumni weekend. Alumni support has largely been responsible for the survival of the club through its many transitions.

“For me and many other alumni, Skidmore polo is the greatest connection we have with the college. Nothing

SKIDMORE

SKIDMORE POLO TIPS & TRICKS

Always take time to honor and go the extra mile for your ponies.

Actively build and maintain relationships with horse donors.

Develop a straightforward process for screening and receiving horse donations. Having horses that are too complicated for most of your riders or are not sound to do their job places a strain on club resources.

Don’t hesitate to be the person who steps up!

Cultivate relationships. Clubs need coaches, veterinary advisors, horse donors, retirement givers, scorekeepers, timers, announcers, umpires, EMS providers, options for off-season placements and turnout and financial advisors.

Be generous in sharing knowledge with other I/I programs whenever you can. The more successful programs there are, the better the I/I experience is for everyone.

Find a way for interested people to care about your club and help in meaningful ways. It really takes a village!

beats the feeling of driving up for the club’s annual reunion in April and recalling all the memories from years past— the good, the bad, the wins, the losses and the fun. It is a feeling the permeates across generations of alumni from the club’s inception in 1975 until today,” said Dan Haro (’10).

Everyone is looking forward to celebrating Skidmore polo alumni weekend, April 25-27, where attendees will reminisce about their amazing, shared history and look to shaping the next 50 years of Skidmore polo.

MANGO

The Wonder Pony

You might have heard of a certain Liberty Hall Polo Club (Rixeyville, Virginia) pony named Mango, but what you have not heard of is how he came to be the ‘Wonderpony.’

Late in the summer of 2022, polo was busy at our club. My brother [Zak] was playing in the U.S. Arena Open, my father [Dan] was playing in a tournament at Roseland Polo Club and we all had to play an exhibition match at Twilight Polo on the same weekend. Three tournaments in three different counties and we were out of horses!

When my dad was making the horse lists, he looked out at the pastures and saw a buckskin Kentucky Mountain Pony grazing, looking plump and slow. He pointed at the pony and asked, “What does that pony do?”

Besides a list of naughty behaviors, the barn staff had no answer. So, that afternoon, my dad and Mango had their first ride. He taught the pony to neck rein, to stop and turn properly and how to play polo. Soon he was playing in practice matches at our farm and at a neighboring club. The tournament weekend arrived and my dad started the 8 PM Saturday night Twilight Polo feature match on Mango. His competitors were outraged, complaining that they could not ride the pony off or hook the little pony. My dad ignored all of this as Mango became a crowd favorite. With the tournament season over, my father gave me the pony to continue training.

On the very first day I got on the pony, I pronounced him evil. He had rarely been ridden by anyone but my dad and when I first got on him, fear overcame me. He rooted every time I tried to stop him and often, he would not even stop at all!

The very next day I rode him down to the ring and set up some low jumps. At the time neither of us even knew how to jump, but nevertheless, we persisted. The first few times he rooted and refused, but soon I got him to go over. I took him to lessons at Summerduck Run Farm and learned how to jump correctly, and eventually entered him

Simonetta Coleman - Liberty Hall

in several jumper shows. The first two we got disqualified because he refused the jumps too many times. As the saying goes, third time is the charm! The next show I got best in class, with a first place ribbon and a third place ribbon. I was overjoyed.

When I started playing polo on him, he was uncontrollable. I struggled making him go and stop. But, I continued trying, playing him every practice and riding him almost every day. When he first started playing he still had terrible habits, but he soon stopped with lots of training.

Dianne Bignoli made custom mallets for Mango from broken mallets. Most kids use a size 44. During interscholastic games, my dad has to tell the player riding him that Mango comes with a mallet. Mango also has his own special wardrobe complete with bridle, girth, wraps and saddle pad. We do a lot to make him look good!

The very first tournament he ever played with me was a NYTS tournament in late July. He persevered, playing the best he could possibly play. Sadly, we lost, but the memory of his first tournament will be something I will remember forever.

Mango has now played in many I/I, USPA and exhibition tournaments in Virginia. He is a regular feature at Twilight Polo in Middleburg, at the Blue Rock Polo hosted by Liberty Hall and at middle school and interscholastic events. Just last month, he was Best Playing Pony in the Eastern Circuit Constitution Cup and a USPA Middle School event at Liberty Hall.

Mango can jump, foxhunt, tail ride, trick ride, roman ride, gather cattle and of course, play polo. Mango is a favorite in the interscholastic league, as well as a favorite throughout the polo clubs. You can even find him on Instagram at @mango_the_wonderpony!

While I helped Mango to become a better polo pony, he helped me to become a better polo player. He made me better. That is a true horse.

David Lominska

PTF LYNN THOMPSON

FEMALE INTERSCHOLASTIC PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Rory Knox

Maryland Polo Club

“Polo

has taught me discipline through hard work and dedication; made me

confident, competent and competitive; and instilled in me the value of being strong in the face of tough losses and gracious in the face of hard-fought victories.”

It’s a great honor to be selected as the Lynn Thompson Interscholastic Player of the Year, and I am grateful to have been chosen by the Polo Training Foundation. Thank you to the PTF, to my coach Kelly Wells and to my family, whose unwavering support has allowed me to excel in this sport.

I started riding at an early age. My mom and dad surprised me with horseback riding lessons as a Christmas gift in December 2012 when I was just 6½ years old. My riding instructor was Wells. At the time, I had no idea that she had taught my sister Arabella Knox Brockett how to play polo and that together they had won the National Interscholastic Championships in 2001. I was just thrilled to be riding a pony.

My first lesson was on Daisy, a gorgeous Chestnut with the patience of a saint. I went to practice Mondays and Wednesdays for two years and focused on learning to ride. Shortly thereafter, Wells put a mallet in my hand, and I started to practice with the junior polo players. I learned to play with such talented players as Josie Dorsey, Jordan Peterson, Grace Fleischmann, Zoey Bivalaqua, Kylie Beard and Izzy Brockett. On weekends, I had the privilege of watching the phenomenal varsity players, including Maddie, Abbie and Sophie Grant, Catie Stueck, Brennan Wells, Jack McClean and Parker Pearce.

Looking back on it, I now realize that I grew up playing with, befriending and watching some of the most talented arena polo players in the country. I also understand what a fantastic foundation Wells provided me with as a polo player. Her method of coaching is rigorous, thorough and

effective. She is the winningest coach in I/I history for a reason and I am grateful to have been a part of her program.

As I progressed, I was fortunate enough to share my I/I experience with my best friend and niece Izzy Brockett. She and I played together on the varsity girls’ team for three years and won the USPA Girls’ National Interscholastic Championship together this year. While winning nationals was incredible, my most memorable moment of my I/I career was winning our regionals game against Aiken Youth Polo in 2023.

In our high school I/I career, Aiken Youth Polo was our biggest rival. That year, the team was coached by Tiger Kneece and composed of Summer Kneece, Madison and Brianna Jordan and Alea Crespo. They were a strong team full of incredibly talented players. Regionals were held at our home club, Marlan Farm, so we had the advantage of our own arena and our own ponies, but the playing field was leveled as Aiken brought their own string.

This was a close, tense game throughout all four chukkers. Izzy Brockett, Beard and I played the last chukker together. We were up by five going in, but Aiken was driven and wanted the win. In the last two minutes of the fourth chukker, with an assist from Izzy Brockett, I scored our 19th and final goal. The score was now 19-13, but Aiken wasn’t done. In the last 45 seconds of the chukker, Aiken conducted an onslaught on goal, resulting in both Summer Kneece and Madison Jordan scoring. This left them 20 seconds on the clock and cut

our lead to four. We did not relax as we knew Aiken was still capable of winning.

When that buzzer sounded and the crowd roared, Izzy Brockett and I immediately realized the significance of the moment, and celebrated with a huge hug. All of our hard work and dedication had culminated in a victory so sweet, and we did it together. Although we lost to Aiken at nationals that year, we savored that one victory over our strongest rivals.

I play polo because it brings me joy. As my mom says, I am in my happy place when I am on a polo pony flying around the arena (or down the field), whether in practice or in a competition. I love the rhythm of the game, working as a team and the camaraderie with the horses. More importantly, polo has helped shape the core of my being. Polo has taught me discipline through hard work and dedication; made me confident, competent and competitive; and instilled in me the value of being strong in the face of tough losses and gracious in the face of hard-fought victories. It has made me a better leader, a harder worker, a resilient horsewoman and a better friend.

Finally, this award means so much to me, not just because of my love for polo, but because of my family’s rich history with polo in general and with the Polo Training Foundation in particular. My great-grandfather, Seymour Knox II, the founder of the Aurora polo team,

is a member of the Polo Hall of Fame and retired with a handicap of 7 goals. Aurora won the U.S. Open Polo Championship in 1934 and played in England and in Argentina. His sons, my grandfather Seymour Knox III and my great-uncle Northrup Knox, carried on his legacy, reaching 7 and 8 goals, respectively.

Each gave back to the sport of polo and the polo community by playing a significant role in the U.S. Polo Association and in the founding of the Polo Training Foundation. Great-Uncle Norty was also the ninth chairman of the USPA and was inducted into the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame in 1994 along with William R. Linfoot. My father, W. A. Read Knox, also played polo and was instrumental in starting the Maryland Polo Club (Jarrettsville, Maryland) where I play now in the summers with my family.

My sister still plays polo and was the recipient of this very honor from the PTF in 2001. She and her husband Joel Brockett, both I/I polo players, are reviving the tradition of the Aurora polo team this year. Their daughter Izzy Brockett is playing for the Aurora polo team and competed in the XV Ladies LGS AAP Ladies Grand Series Stage 1 tournament in Argentina this October, alongside the most talented players in women’s polo. I am sincerely grateful to be a part of and continue this incredible legacy. This honor holds a special place in my family’s history, making it even more meaningful to receive. Thank you.

www.vapolo.org/summer-programs www.vapolo.org/summer-programs

LOCAL GEMS

Poway Polo Club

Tucked back near the hills in east Poway, California, there are a few reminders of what the area used to look like. Old Poway Park offers a mini passenger train reminiscent of years past. Up the road, farmhouses scattered here and there weave into the newer roads built around their once sprawling ranches. The Poway Rodeo is hosted here every year, bringing in crowds that continue to exponentially grow, but one of the hidden gems in this area is the land the rodeo uses—a place we call PVRA.

Poway Valley Riders Association sits on property rich in history. From polo to barrel racing, Pony Club to hunter jumper shows, the property offers riders opportunities to practice and perform locally throughout the year. Along with the land, there is one very special soul that works daily to keep riding alive and well in our area.

Sherry (Sheldon) Gibson is a second-generation player and one of four in her family that have enjoyed polo for

years. Her father, Russ Sheldon, is in the Polo Hall of Fame and the main arena at PVRA boasts his namesake. Gibson’s son Shane Rice is currently a polo pro. He is 8 goals in the arena, was 2002 Interscholastic Player of the Year and a two-time National Interscholastic Champion. Her daughter Danika Rice was 2006 Intercollegiate Woman Player of the Year, and a two-time National Interscholastic Champion. 1999 was the first year Sherry got involved with USPA intercollegiate/interscholastic polo, which was also the start of the Western Region for I/I. Her brother Billy Sheldon had also run the program in years past. As you can see, it’s a family thing.

Recently, Gibson took two I/I teams to Mustang Madness on the Central Coast, hosted by Central Coast Polo Club and the Cal Poly Mustang polo team. The event was a huge success. Teams from up and down the state of California competed, and it was an amazing

Melinda Huntoon

Vanessa Hilliniski

weekend of competition and comaraderie, seeing old friends and making new connections.

On a daily basis, Gibson spends much of her time developing both younger and older riders at her property, Polodeo Ranch. Many of her students practice both polo and Western, and she has a string of versatile horses able to adapt to different styles of riding. When it comes to I/I, Gibson is a true believer that polo is for everyone, and she practices what she preaches. On any given night, you can visit the PVRA property and most likely, you will see a large group of students of all ages, playing chukkers under the arena lights.

You can also find her nephew Jared Sheldon out in the mix. Rated 7 goals in the arena and 2005 Interscholastic Player of the Year when he was in high school, he has recently joined Gibson at PVRA, coaching and running his own academy to further develop dedicated players. The current growth and interest in polo is exciting and we can’t wait to see what the next few years have in store for our I/I players.

As we all know, horses are a true labor of love. They require tons of dedication, hard work, money and time, much of which are harder to come by these days. Poway is lucky to have someone like Gibson. In a time where many things are a lost art, this gem (and her husband Brent Gibson) wake up every day ready to teach younger generations and coach the next high school or future collegiate polo player.

Rodeo girls: Shelby Kokjohn, Camryn Polk and Melia Huntoon with coach Sherry Sheldon Gibson

Lezlie Hiner

SECOND CHANCES Breaking Barriers and Transforming Failure Into Success

Marc-Anthony Harley - WTR Interscholastic

Although she was just an ordinary plain bay with no markings, the first time I met Sconce at the Thoroughbred aftercare farm, Pastured Place, I connected with her right away. I felt safe on her. Watching her go and noticing her laid-back demeanor and kind eye felt reassuring, and I recognized these qualities as what I’d like to see in a polo pony. Although she may not have looked like the next Best Playing Pony of the U.S. Open, I saw potential in her. I know personally how first impressions can be misleading. I didn’t look like much when I first walked into the Work to Ride program as a short, scrawny, little 7-year-old kid. Work to Ride founder Lezlie Hiner took a chance by teaching me to ride back then, and now I could take a chance on Sconce learning to become a polo pony. Discovering Work to Ride was a turning point for me, and being able to offer a turning point to Sconce created a kind of connection and that is what makes this journey so special to me.

By racehorse standards, Sconce was a failure. A Thoroughbred, she had been bred to run but had no speed. The trainers, owners and breeders, who had invested thousands of dollars into her racing career, recognized this wasn’t the direction for her, so they pulled the plug. When she arrived at our barn in February, she was a blank slate, ready for a new purpose. This marked the beginning of a significant journey for me.

In eight months, we would be participating in the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover, held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. In collaboration with Work to Ride’s temporary home at Northwestern Stables and a girl named Isabella “Bella” Parrilo, I would be responsible for polo training, while Parrilo specialized in jumper training. This experience not only allowed us to work together towards a common goal, but also broke barriers and stereotypes in the process. Training a former racehorse to become a polo pony and show jumper became a transformative experience that taught me valuable lessons about teamwork, perseverance and overcoming failure.

The Retired Racehorse Project is an organization with a mission to facilitate the placement of Thoroughbred racehorses into second careers, giving these horses a second chance. With the increasing demand for Thoroughbred horses in other disciplines, the RRP meets not only the needs of the demand for Thoroughbreds, but also the needs of the horses themselves. Without a second chance, these horses would be sent to kill pens or sit in a field for the rest of their lives. When Hiner asked me if I would like to compete in the Retired Racehorse Project representing Work to Ride, I was hesitant, as I didn’t have much faith in my skills and capability to retrain an off-thetrack Thoroughbred. While I didn’t know the journey I’d be embarking on, I still jumped at the opportunity to compete.

I’ve been involved with the Work to Ride program, based in West Philadelphia, for the past 10 years and I have been helping care for the horses and handling their needs. This program allowed me to learn the ins and outs of horses, taught me how to ride and the importance of horsemanship. Originally, Work to Ride got involved with the RRP in 2018 when Shariah Harris took and retrained a horse named Katy Perry, earning third place.

This year, the RRP updated their competition rules to allow team entries, where two people can enter and compete in two separate disciplines on the same horse. This meant the scoring would be different, as the team entries were scored separately from the individual entries. Our collaboration with Northwestern and Parrilo was instrumental to our success. It allowed us to exchange ideas and strategies and allowed me to receive help with things I had less experience with, like teaching the lead change and how to work around her quirks. Being a team entry in the RRP relieved a lot of pressure, letting us split up training duties during the week.

Being part of a team especially helped after arriving in Kentucky, where I felt out of place. Being a young African American male in a predominantly white female dominated sport, I didn’t exactly fit in, and I stood out. My differences made me want to prove myself and show

off my skills, as young black men aren’t usually seen in this industry at all. Surrounded by other competitors, who had spared no expense on getting their horses to the RRP, I was very aware of the wealth divide, as I don’t live in a gated community or come from money. While the differences are apparent, I know I just have to work harder to pursue my achievements and show more perseverance and determination than people who do come from wealthy families.

From the beginning of Sconce’s reschooling, we knew that training a failed racehorse new skills would not be an easy task. Sometimes she would show me the racehorse part of her, and if I was lucky, she’d take up being a rodeo bronc for the day. She was full of surprises, but how could I expect anything less from a 5-year-old OTTB? Racehorses are accustomed to running at full speed, not performing precise maneuvers, like stopping and turning or jumping obstacles in a designed order. However, Parrilo and I were determined to transform Sconce into a versatile competitor. The key to achieving this was constant communication and collaboration. Parrilo and I shared our observations and adjusted our training techniques accordingly. While I worked on Sconce’s agility and handling for polo, Parrilo focused on her confidence and suppleness. Our success depended on our ability to support each other and, through a little trial and error,

learn from our experiences.

In terms of becoming a polo pony, Sconce faced her first major obstacle: she struggled with the idea of traffic. She would run me around the arena as if she were still on a track, darting away from oncoming horses. She wasn’t too fond of the mallet either, shying away from it altogether. I spent weeks on the ground rubbing the mallet across her body to let her know that this long scary stick was not going to eat her alive. We eventually got to the point where I could swing it on top of her without her even batting an eye. Onto tackling traffic. While horses are indeed herdoriented animals, polo traffic to a green horse is a bit different than what they’d deal with regularly. A couple of horses seemingly chasing you and others coming at your sides takes some getting used to. Sconce tended to get riled up in traffic, but hours in the arena with lessons going on around her helped settle her down.

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The warm summer months were jam-packed with new experiences for Sconce, completely different from life on the racetrack. She went to the Cheshire Hunt foxhunting camp with Parrilo for a week and polo camp with me for a week at Northwestern, as well as a few grass games at Lancaster Polo Club (Lancaster, Pennsylvania). As we introduced Sconce to more excursions, she she became less bothered, more comfortable and less overwhelmed by new environments. While the time was ticking down for competition in Kentucky, I was putting the finishing touches on Sconce, preparing to leave it all out there and show what we’d spent the last nine months doing. After flying over to Kentucky, I quickly realized the sheer amount of horse farms and racetracks they have–the view from the plane didn’t do it justice. The farms seemed endless; when one ended, another began. I had never seen so many large properties packed into one little town before. The rolling hills and endless farmland of Kentucky were beautiful. This was true horse country. I was now even more excited (after a little urging from my Saddle Up Scholars tutor, Win) to visit and tour the University of Kentucky while I was in Lexington and consider studying at college for four years in this horse

Even the famous Kentucky Horse Park was a sight to behold. The amount of different people and disciplines colliding in one place was amazing to see. Watching the other RRP polo ponies and other riders’ methods of training was especially insightful. Seeing what the professional players had accomplished with their own horses was very special, because it shows how amazing these animals are. Competing against professionals and being treated as an equal felt incredibly

Bronze Polo Statue #3093 Sheffield Cup #0287 & #0286

rewarding and helped me see how far I’ve come as a horseman.

Feeling respected, regardless of age, race or gender, shows how inclusive and level the playing field can be in polo. This camaraderie took me back to just a few weeks before when I was playing at our own fundraiser, the Philadelphia Polo Classic. On the field were people of all ages, backgrounds and races—from eighth grade African American girls to one of the top-ranking players in the U.S.—everyone was out on the field on bays, chestnuts and paints, chasing down the same little ball. It was an unforgettable experience, highlighting the unity and respect that all people carry for each other within the sport. I had seen it at home and had now experienced it in Kentucky too.

Being an African American male, competing in a predominantly white female sport, I’m no stranger to facing skeptical looks and doubts about my abilities. However, instead of being discouraged, I used these experiences as motivation to prove that passion and dedication have no color. Parrilo and I formed a solid team in preparing for the RRP, challenging expectations and showing that diversity is a strength. In the end, Sconce not only competed successfully in both disciplines, earning herself a first in team polo and second in team show jumping, but also became a symbol of what can be achieved when working as a team and facing failure with determination. The teamwork and collaboration were crucial, from the exchange of ideas to the relief of pressure

and the support of my diversity, we succeeded because we worked together.

In addition to the value of hard work and community support, I learned the value of patience, persistence and empathy. I’ve realized that failure is not permanent and that with the right support and a willingness to pivot, we can find our areas of excellence. True success is not only measured by victories, but by the ability to overcome obstacles and work together towards a common goal. Training a failed racehorse to become a polo pony and a show jumper was a journey full of challenges, but also immense rewards. Parrilo and I demonstrated that, with collaboration, perseverance and open minds, it is possible to transform failure into success and break barriers in the process.

The journey to the Retired Racehorse Project with Sconce, Parrilo, Northwestern, and of course Work to Ride, has changed me, giving me confidence and a new perspective on challenges. I’m now more sympathetic and patient to those still learning and more confident in my abilities as I move forward, not being hesitant to try new things. Through this journey, I learned to teach, and understand how to convey messages effectively. I have been riding for years, but this experience was different. Thanks to my coaches Hiner and Dana Epps, I appreciate how much training a horse requires, including heart, flexibility and creative problem-solving. Above all, I learned that everyone, just as a defeated racehorse like Sconce, deserves a second chance.

polo! Now, 60 years later, the Lakeside Polo Club is proud to continue supporting its youth program, the Lakeside Polo Youth Foundation, founded in 2016. Students in the program receive a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn to play this unique, prestigious sport in an edifying and encouraging manner. LPC wishes all teams a great 2024 - 25 Season!

Since its formation, by Eugene “Doc” Hering, the Lakeside Polo Club has

FROM SCRUBS TO THE SADDLE: Medical Students Riding High in Polo

Dylan Bush and Maguire Anuszewski -Brown Medical School

Polo has long been called the “Sport of Kings,” but two members of the Brown University polo team are asking, “what about med students?” The USPA intercollegiate polo program has made the sport accessible to a much wider group, including two current medical students at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Maguire Anuszewski and Dylan Bush are second-year medical students who play for Brown’s varsity polo team. Bush also serves as the club’s vice president.

Bush discovered the sport in high school, played interscholastic polo in Southern California and joined the Brown team last year as a first-year medical student. He says the opportunity to play polo in medical school has helped him make up for lost time in the sport, as his undergraduate institution (UC Berkeley) did not have a team. Anuszewski, on the other hand, learned about polo

as an undergraduate at Brown. He was recruited, having never ridden a horse, to help rebuild the team after the pandemic forced a hiatus. Now as a second-year medical student at Brown, he has rejoined the team and is excited to compete.

Medical students at Brown and across the country often have little time for extracurricular activities. The coursework alone is frequently equated to drinking from a firehose. On top of that, students must balance clinical training, research and medical licensing exam preparation. Between spending time in the classroom, hospital and laboratory, it is surprising that there is any time at the end of the day for these two to hop on a horse.

“It can definitely be challenging, balancing polo and medical school. Some days I return home from practice, take off my boots, change into my scrubs and head to the

hospital for a shift in the emergency department. We do it because we love the sport,” said Bush.

Both Bush and Anuszewski credit the Brown University Polo Club and its coaches, Minnie Keating and Dan Keating, leaders of the world-renowned Newport Polo Club (Portsmouth, Rhode Island), for creating an inclusive and flexible atmosphere conducive to medical student involvement.

“It’s really handy having medical students around, especially when there are injuries. It has also been interesting to discuss the application of new technologies in both human and equine medicine with our medical student players,” coach Minnie Keating said.

Bush and Anuszewski have also found ways to meld their interests in polo and medicine. Inspired by polo injuries they have witnessed, they are working on a research project to better characterize the volume and nature of sports injuries suffered by polo players. They are working with Dr. Marcaccio of Rhode Island’s University Orthopedics to lead the first clinical research study on polo injuries in North America.

Anuszewski said, “It’s a thrilling, but also dangerous game. When my friends ask me about the sport, I explain it like hockey on horses. You are bumping into other

players and swinging a mallet while riding up to 30 mph on 1000-pound, live animals, who sometimes have a mind of their own. Injuries—like in any sport—are bound to happen, but polo is really unique in the degree of injury. And no one has really looked at that yet.”

CHUKKER BREAK

Yale visits Aiken

Continuing a cherished tradition, the Yale Polo team embarked on their annual fall break trip to Aiken, South Carolina, in October. Nine members of the club spent five memorable days honing their skills, exploring Aiken and connecting with many Yale Polo alumni and the broader polo community. As it always does, the town of Aiken welcomed them with open arms and the players were continually impressed by the generosity and hospitality of everyone they met. Trip highlights included a wide range of activities: the women’s team playing a match against USC Aiken, trying their hand at bike polo, taking a tour of one of the nation’s few court tennis facilities, and visiting New Haven Farm, the home of former 10-goaler Adam Snow.

LIFE AFTER I/I

Forging Her Own Path: Morgan McBride

Audrey Keneda - UNT ’26

As a 17-year-old girl, Morgan McBride had no idea what she would be getting herself into when she joined the Culver Academy polo team. Her love for horses and competition drew her to the polo barn where Coach Stubblefield helped teach her how to be a true horseman first and a polo player second. Fast forward eight years, and the now 25-year-old McBride owns a string of polo ponies, manages two separate polo clubs across different regions of the United States and coaches at the intercollegiate level.

After graduating from the Culver Academies in 2017, McBride attended Texas Christian University where she received her bachelor’s in journalism and communication. She credits the intercollegiate program for her skill set and desire to return to polo as a coach. McBride balanced school hours and barn hours, selecting all morning classes to have more time in the afternoon for the horses. She traded barn chores for extra chukkers.

This work proved beneficial as she took over more official roles within the club. McBride became the first one at the facility to check on horses, operate club chukkers, plan events, give lessons and organize the barns; and she was always the last person to leave at the end of the night, adamant that all polo wraps had to be rolled and stalls had to be mucked before she left. McBride would happily be at the stables until midnight and was back at 6 a.m. to do it all over again.

Her ambition in polo did not end after graduating from TCU in 2021. Delaying her corporate marketing job, McBride spent the summer grooming in Bliss, Michigan.

At the end of the summer, she couldn’t imagine herself doing anything other than polo. She took the risk of passing up the corporate job in favor of becoming a polo club manager. During her first year as manager, she largely expanded the I/I program at her home club, Prestonwood Polo Club (Oak Point, Texas), and established the University of North Texas women’s team. Across four I/I teams at her club, McBride recruited 45 new members. This is where she found her new passion—coaching. Her coaching philosophy is to teach players the similarities between polo and the outside world.

“I want to help young players develop skills in the arena that can be applied to successful careers, whatever that may be. Polo teaches people how to communicate under pressure, be adaptable and have empathy for something greater than themselves,” McBride wrote.

McBride’s dedication to the sport can be felt within all of the clubs she works with. Her most recent achievements include assisting in the creation and development of the DFW Polo Assn. (Texas), freelancing with HorseNetwork to improve the social media presence at the Sarasota Polo Club (Sarasota, Florida) and working as the director of development at the Las Brisas Polo Club (Elgin, Illinois). She has found her stride with Las Brisas, working to triple the club’s online engagement, increase the 14-goal Midwest Open to eight teams and garner long-lasting luxury corporate sponsorships.

In her spare time, McBride serves on youth polo committees and squeezes in some chukkers in 8-goal tournaments. Even as she has built a high-goal string to

rent out to players, she promises that she will always have an I/I string to give to players. She makes it her personal mission to travel and work outside of her home club, continue learning about polo and bring ideas and skills back to collegiate players.

“Morgan has had a big impact on me ever since I joined the polo team. She always makes sure we have fun, but are learning. Every practice, Morgan has a cheerful outlook and is encouraging towards all the team members. You can tell her love for polo, horses and teaching,” wrote Julia Breidenbach, a UNT women’s player.

When asked where she sees herself in five years, she acknowledged that in polo you have to be flexible and understand that nothing ever goes quite according to plan. Nonetheless, she is confident that she will continue to coach and develop the next generation of leaders and polo players.

Polo is better because of people like McBride. She is tirelessly dedicated to the sport and is paving a new road for the future of young women in polo. Women’s polo is soaring, and McBride is opening doors for all young female enthusiasts to stay in the sport, proving it is possible to make a career in polo, while giving back.

CHUKKER BREAK

What a year!

Izzy Brockett from the Maryland Interscholastic Girls’ team, capped off her 2024 season with a win in the La Aguada Ladies Cup, played in Argentina with teammates Hope Arellano, Hazel Jackson and Candelaria Fernández Araujo. This adds to Izzy’s whirlwind year winning the USPA Girls’ National Interscholastic Championship with Maryland Polo Club and the National Youth Tournament Series Girls’ National Championship - Hale Family Cup with Delta Dawn. Congrats Izzy!

Julio Aguilar

Morgan adjusts the stirrups of a visiting team member, top. Morgan keeps her barn spick-and-span, bottom.

Erin Swaney

ROLLING INTO THE FUTURE

How E-Wheels Can Revolutionize Polo Development

Justin Powers

In 2020, I met Juan Villamil field side at the relaunch of the Ligonier Polo Club (Ligonier, Pennsylvania), headed up by my former I/I teammate Mark Teroerde. The club holds special significance for me–my father, Mark Powers, helped reestablish polo there with his sponsor, Dr. Richard Raizman, when I was a toddler. After Raizman’s passing in 2010, the club went dormant for nearly a decade.

That day, Villamil’s six-year-old son Antonio captivated everyone’s attention. He masterfully maneuvered an E-Wheel around the field, stick and balling with his foot mallet, embodying the spirit of high-goal players in his movements. While I had seen E-Wheels before with Toby Wayman and Jack Whitman, watching Antonio demonstrated its true potential for player development.

Four years later, Antonio’s progression proves the E-Wheel’s value in developing homegrown American polo talent. Under Villiamil’s guidance, it has become integral to Ligonier’s youth program, which is now returning to I/I competition for the first time since 2004, when I played alongside Mark Teroerde and Tommy Collingwood.

As a sport steeped in tradition, polo has always found ways to innovate while honoring its heritage. The E-Wheel represents our latest evolution–an electric unicycle that allows riders to experience polo’s speed, balance and tactical elements while developing crucial skills off the horse. What began as an experimental training method has evolved into a movement transforming player development.

By creating standardized metrics for E-Wheel skills, we’re making this innovation more accessible and measurable for young players. E-Wheels Polo, led by E-Wheel pioneer Enrique Sanz, supports this standardization through rider education and potential future USPA member club pricing programs, ensuring broader access to this technology for developing players.

The initiative also gained momentum on other continents when, in 2019, Roda Polo founder Javier Tanoira observed young players in Argentina naturally incorporating E-Wheels into their practice routines. This organic adoption spread throughout the polo community as players discovered the unique benefits of this training tool. Since then, Tanoira and Roda Polo have expanded their footprint from South America to the U.S. and Europe.

This natural diffusion aligns perfectly with Everett Rogers’ innovation adoption theory, which the USPA Polo Development LLC plans to leverage through the National Youth Tournament Series (NYTS). By integrating E-Wheels into NYTS training programs, we’re establishing pathways for this technology to spread through our sport’s social networks.

Additionally, Polo Development is exploring this integration through an “E-Wheel Polo Challenge,” inspired by successful youth development programs like golf’s Drive, Chip and Putt challenge and football’s Punt, Pass and Kick. This structured approach will provide measurable benchmarks for progress while making the learning process more engaging.

Our vision extends beyond training. We see a future where national E-Wheel championships at the National Polo Center in Wellington could mirror how Williamsport, Pennsylvania, became synonymous with Little League Baseball. This structured approach would provide clear pathways for progression while maintaining safety and consistency across programs.

Watching Antonio’s development has been nothing short of inspiring. His E-Wheel mastery has elevated his mounted game, creating a model for young players to follow, particularly in Western Pennsylvania. At the historic Darlington Polo Grounds, the Ligonier youth players consistently draw the largest cheers from the crowd. While watching kids play polo naturally tugs at the heartstrings, it’s their pre- and post-match E-Wheel demonstrations that truly captivate audiences. Spectators instinctively reach for their phones to capture and share these moments on social media, highlighting E-Wheels’ untapped potential as a marketing tool for polo.

Looking ahead to my sons, Aidan and Asher, I eagerly anticipate the day they’ll follow Antonio’s example, mastering both E-Wheels and mounted polo. The E-Wheel represents more than an innovative training tool–it embodies our sport’s ability to evolve while honoring tradition. Through structured programs and organic adoption, we’re creating new pathways for player development and attracting the next generation of polo enthusiasts, ensuring our sport’s continued growth and vitality.

2024 I/I Award Recipients

Lifetime Achievement Award

Tom

Goodspeed

The Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Lifetime Achievement Award is presented only in exceptional circumstances to an individual who exemplifies the spirit of I/I by providing many years of service and commitment to growing young players in the sport, and being an outstanding example of dedication to the continued advancement of the I/I program.

Presented by I/I Chairman Liz Brayboy

Young Alumni Award

Ryan Saul

The I/I Young Alumni award is presented annually to a young alumnus who in the last calendar year has exemplified the spirit of I/I by giving back to the sport, demonstrating commitment to growing young players in the sport and providing an outstanding example of selfless contribution to the sustainability of their local club(s) and/ or the I/I program as a whole. A young alumnus is defined as someone who has graduated within the last 10 years.

Presented by USPA Arena Umpire Director Bradley Biddle

Service Award CJ Schnier

The I/I Service Award is presented annually to an individual who in the last calendar year has exemplified the spirit of I/I by demonstrating commitment to growing young players in the sport and providing an outstanding example of selfless contribution to the sustainability of their local club(s) and the I/I program as a whole.

Presented by I/I alum Amy James

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Eva Scott

4H & FFA

Eva is a senior and the captain of the Sutter Buttes Interscholastic Girls’ team. She is the president of her local 4-H club, is currently a Future Farmers of America regional officer in the state of California and has eyes on a state office. She just returned from the National FFA convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, receiving an award as one of the top four candidates in the nation on the area of equine placement.

She is also proficient on the piano!

Aleah Arthur Equitation

Aleah is a sophomore on the Flat Out team and competes with her horse Iron Ride regionally and nationally. She excells in multiple divisions including, equitation, hunters and showmanship. Aleah is a dedicated student and horsewoman, driving one hour each way to school her horse, and one and a half hour drive in the opposite direction for polo pracitce!

Hayden Baisch

Archery

Hayden is a freshman on the Aiken Youth polo team and qualified for the National Archery in the Schools Program National Championships in Louisville, KY in May 2024. She competed in the IBO/3D competition against some of the best archers in the country. Hayden qualified with a score of 270 out of 300 and was ranked second in the state in her grade and 36th out of 473 girls in all divisions in South Carolina.

Larry Johnson

2024 I/I TEAM ROSTERS

INTERCOLLEGIATE MEN

CAL POLY

Max Irwin

Carson Stueve

Jack Dresick

Grant Baer

Graham Weaver

COLORADO STATE

Caleb Mckendry

William Driscoll

Oliver Wheatley

Connelly Cashen

Rhys Farber

CORNELL

Michael Lovier

Patricio Fraga-Errecart

Harrison Fredericks

Benito Jaramillo

Eduardo Palacios-Garcia

GEORGETOWN

Ford Middendorf

Benedikt Jaenecke

Alfonso Pla Zobel de Ayala

Muhammad Bin Talal

Hamilton Gundlach

GROSSMONT

Ethan Bankhead

Garret Bankhead

Christian Muteanu

OKLAHOMA STATE

Michael Kelly

Trenton Werntz

Jose Tadeo Linares

Brant Machtolff

SOUTHERN METHODIST

Clark Mayer

Lance Stefanakis

Landen Eckbo Daniels

Shane Metternick

August Schneekloth

STANFORD

William Coors

Amado Shrestha

Marco Carrillo

Rodolfo Morelos

Nazar Khan

TEXAS A&M

Aiden Meeker

Will Mudra

Zackary Coleman

Hudson Hurtig

Jose Solis

TEXAS TECH

Cole Faires

Darrell Griffith

Ameer Khan

Camden Kolb

Grayson Price

U KENTUCKY

Rehan Kumble

Joseph Schwartz

Alejandro Puyanan Boggio

U NORTH TEXAS

Vance Miller III

John Dencker

Niklaus Felhaber

Mosiah Gravesande

INTERCOLLEGIATE WOMEN

CAL POLY

Julia Schaefer

Camilla Mcfall

Sofia Rosenquist

Nicole Bailey

Anna Mendez

COLORADO STATE

Sara Eggenberger

Elyse Warren

Willow Longerbeam

Lily Nelson

CORNELL

Ava Ramachandran

Lara Chong

Charlotte Book

Samantha Symons

Isabelle Braden

GROSSMONT

Kylie Kufahl

Zoey Newton

Abigail Purdy

U VIRGINIA

Gaston Gomez

Makhdum Mourad Shah

Vlad Tarashansky

Nicholas Paciorek

James Grayken

VIRGINIA TECH

Chad Sweeton

Mahmoud Tantawi

Diego Cuadra

YALE

Leopold Schwarz-Schutte

Marco Marsans

Nico Prescott

Calaway Swanson

Howard Shi

HARVARD

Mia Colman

Jara Wilensky

Alyssa Perren

Cate Buchan

Madeline de Belloy

Alissa Maerzke

MICHIGAN STATE

Petra Johnson

Scarlett Draper

Olivia Griffith

MONTANA STATE

Allie Bushong

Veronica Patyna

Megan Weston

Malia Mckendry

OKLAHOMA STATE

Sheridan Strong

Sydney Morris

Elizabeth Sullivan

SKIDMORE

Kathryn Blanc

Tamar Azulay

Nora Jackson

Lexie Wierdsma

Georgia Polk

Lulu Feeney

SOUTHERN METHODIST

Lindsey Morris

Zoey Bivalacqua

Lulu Moore

Savannah Coventry

Cassandra Kaplan

Sophia Garvin

STANFORD

Ryann Ray

Alyana Diaz Mcneal

Lauren Lowe

Anastazja Krostenko

Katharine Littleton

Isabella Russo

TEXAS A&M

Josephine Dorsey

Cara Kennedy

Olivia Reynolds

Francesca Felhaber

TCU

Grace Geissler

Bailey Robirds

Lauren Doty

Erin Higgins

Sofia Acevedo

Kate Higgins

Samantha Chavira

Ale Andrade

TEXAS TECH

Julian Anna Harrist Garcia

Tatijana Mirsky

Rachel Mittman

Lilly Quinn

Holland Tapper

TRINITY

Maya Leonard

Laurencia Duncan

Taylor Romere

Lily Brennan

Sonja Lisowski

UC DAVIS

Emilynn Angie-Buss

Elise Pardue

Marisa Carelli

Liliana Gonzalez

UCSB

Maren Cukor

Claire Kennedy

Grace Wechser

Chloe Wheeler

Marci Winter

UCONN

Evelyn Doran

Toni Linn Moore

Elizabeth Leudesdorff

Alexa Norquist

Kathryn Mcguire

Abigail Reavis

Ruby Hughes

Anna Shupenis

U IDAHO

Lauren Jamison

Emmarae Parsons

Holland Baum

Hope Aasgard

U KENTUCKY

Grace Beck

Ava Nunes

Taylor Nackers

Joscelin Gallegos

UMASS

Ashley DeYoung

Ella Czarnecki

Hannah Bouthiette

Phoebe Whitham

U NORTH TEXAS

Julia Breidenbach

Irlanda Cadenanez

Audrey Keneda

USC – AIKEN

Brianna Jordan

Kaylin Bender

Summer Kneece

Shona Adams

U VIRGINIA

Alana Benz

Lea Jih-Vieira

Mackenzie Craig

Philippa Harris

Hannah Thomas

INTERSCHOLASTIC GIRLS

AIKEN

Noa Carter-Schatz

Amelia Claire Akins

Hayden Baisch

Sullivan Williams

CENTRAL COAST

Hattie Ward

Marlin Taylor

Linnea Johnson

Kate Soderin

CENTRAL NY

Alexandra Paciorek

Alyssa Manns

Margaret Shipe

GARRISON FOREST

Molly White

Erika Sweeney

Sophia Chiasera

GFS JV

Charlotte Allen

Josephine Allen

Emma Paternotte

Georgia Bray

Isabela Solter

GFS JV BLUE

Anne Bissonnette

Audrey Huang

Olivia Leighton

Brinley Forrester

U WISCONSIN

Lindsey Samuelsen

Cora Williams

Elizabeth Lalor

Jessica Chudy

Heidi Zahnleuter

Emma Vigy

VIRGINIA TECH

Gabriella Doering

Amelia Safran

Gianna Doering

Hannah Jackson

Anastasia El-Bogadi

YALE

Natalia Wyszkowski

Annie Mcdonald

Tori Conde Rodrigues Da Cunha

Casey Tonnies

Hilary Griggs

Beverly Perkins

Isa Ramseyer

Mila Mckay

GREATER NIAGARA

Paetynn Zayac

Alyah Mernagh

Madeline Howard

GREATER NIAGARA CWPS

Madison Van Tuyl

Sierra Henderson

Jenna Lilley

HARVARD CRIMSON

Skylar Bell

Alexis Atkinson

Jaya Khurana

Finn O’Keeffe

Alessandra O’Keeffe

HAWAII

Ava Coudrier

Minne Lee

Katherine Berry Bush

HILLSIDE

Olivia Schmidt

Kylie Lieven

Kendall Nackers

Leilani Biondich

HOUSTON

Uma Villanueva

Isabel Artzer

Katie Graham

Isabel Muncey

Christine Agrons

KINGSWOOD

Finley Guenther

Ava Croce

Brooke Henehan

Brynn Whitten

LAKESIDE

Jordyn Griffith

Shira Engel

Ava Abboud

Helena Csiki

Ellie Waller

MARYLAND

Aurora Knox

Kylie Beard

Sierra Blevins

Isabelle Brockett

MARYLAND REBELS

Jolie Zepp

Isabella Dowling

Ana Karpovich

Brianna Williamson

MAUI VARSITY

Leah Melzer

Jade Hiltbrand

Elizabeth Miranda

Emily Coflin

Eva Marie Scott Sutter Buttes

We are so proud of you! Your hard work is inspiring and we’re here to always celebrate your success. You hold the reins to your future.

Love, Mom, Daddy D, Reed & Claire

MAUI JV

Chloe Fischer

Campbell Bintliff

Indiana Dukes

Elise Hollingsworth

MIDLAND

Emrey Owen

Ashlyn Whiteley

Mary Kate Wetendorf

Charli Eaton

POWAY

Bethel Lutz

Tessa McCready

Ava Hilinski

Olivia Hilinski

SAN ANTONIO

Faye Bettis

Ruby Bettis

Zoe Rosenthal

Angel Landry

Reagan Drummer

ST. LOUIS

Winifred Branscum

Holly Goen

Kelsey Bray

Bryn Swope-Bell

Lillian Wardlaw

Lili Goellner

SUTTER BUTTES

Eva Scott

Alejandra Sequeira

Gianna Pomeroy

Ellie Drucker

WAIKI’I

Amelie Schwarz

Savannah Matsui

Carolina Mast

Riley Bergin

Layla Gagnon

YALE

Amelia Luetjen

Abigail Jumper

Zoe Katz

Alexandra Rothstein

Francesca Ciociola

Miss

@ocpoloclub | ocpolo.com

INTERSCHOLASTIC OPEN

AIKEN BLUE

Marek Sutherland

Luis Barrios

Shane Sullivan

Denny Santana

AIKEN WHITE

Bee Dollens

Sallie Dollens

Whitten Greene

Nika Piper

CENTRAL COAST

Hunter Jones

Ethan Peoples

Autumn Judge

Savannah Goodyear

CULVER A

Alex Bashorun

James Dolan

Jayden Hall

Sami Kettaneh

William Kinsman

CULVER B

Eston Armstrong

Aubrey Gernand

Joseph Hardman Novak

Katherine Laherty

Matthew Nendza

Ainsley Pick

Haobo Sun

DENVER

Lauren Patoile

Tess Van Heusen

Valentino Pedano

Wyatt Kinsman

FLAT OUT

Carter VanDeven

Timothy Morris

Caroline Fabus

Aleah Arthur

GARDNERTOWN

Travis Soto

Zeke Roseman

Indiana Meyer

Alexis Palacios-Garcia

Adam Wallace

GFS CHARM CITY

Hosea Johnson

Justin Pena

Jonah Mendes

GFS RUDA

Victoria Picha

Drew Mallahan

Parker Bivalacqua

HARVARD CRIMSON

Nicholas Zaragoza

Andrew Carleton

Maverick Ellis

Eric Schurma Vorbrodt

Victor Schurma Vorbrodt

HILLSIDE

Ethan Harper

Ashley Johnson

Natalie Paulus

HONOLULU

Maile Drinen

Lily Siekman

Owen Williams

Cecily Jarrard

HOUSTON

Joe Bob Lequerica

Lily Lequerica

Tomas Tejera

Judah Altic

Asa Gangjee

KINGSWOOD

Isabel Poniatowski

Emerson Bruce

Jacques Cauchon

Estanislao Robledo Puch

LAKESIDE

Faris Hanna

Luca Abboud

Kylie Matthews

Sebastian Lopez

Cameron Munteanu

LANCASTER – WTR

Marc Anthony Harley

Josie Goldstein

Yash Chhugani

Sage Lax

LANCASTER – WTR JV

Laura Casas

Jordyn Floyd

Tajee McLaughlin

Jordyn Williams

MARYLAND

Russell Calkins

Jonathan Dingus

Mya Quarcoopome

Kylie Williamson

OC POLO

Mila Slutzky

Davesh Nath

Leigh Bertea

Penelope Steffens

Josie Geiler Allen

Sage Slack

PRESTONWOOD

Alec Felhaber

Cole Felhaber

James “JB” Long

Marcus Murphy

Ali Garcia

SOUTH BAY

Morgan Manos

Jens Lermusiaux

Helena Bache

Hannah Fae Krauskopf

SOUTH BAY JV

Matthew Werner

Francisca Lili Busch

Emily Rubin

ST. CROIX

Robert Pizarro

Sophia Pizarro

Camila Pizarro

Chance Miller

STARR CREEK

Aiden Lincoln

Mayson Kim

Skye Hendrix

STR CRK - MT PISGAH

Isabella Jade Hudson

Dillon Brubaker

Catherine Farnsworth

TINICUM

Samantha Iahn

Advait Koli

Yusuf Chaudhry

Daniel Arnold

Katherine Krishtopa

TORONTO

Elvin Yu

Mike Zhang

Troy Ehlert

Liam White

Yiyao Kimi Ma

Christopher Gjino

Sophia Gjino

Amelia Massey

VIRGINIA JRs

Hanan Fadil

Noah Dabney

Wil Ballhaus

Kate Reilly

Hazel Conklin

WAIKI’I

Benjamin Tang

Charles Tang

Ethan Matsui

Paxton Best

WESTCHESTER

Ava Richard

Anna Dwyer

Jair Zenteno

Marilyn Bruno

Sadie Cannova

Hanalei Streuli

YALE VARSITY

Malachi Light

Sophia Deangelis

Naomi Marlough

Phillip Deangelis

YALE POLO RANCH

Daniel Coyle

Michael Joseph

Justo Iraola

Sebastian Komaritsky

YALE JV

Evan Oppenheim

Joseph Marous

Edouard Ferragu

Cormick Martin

2024 NATIONAL YOUTH TOURNAMENT SERIES

GIRLS’ NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

HALE FAMILY CUP

DELTA DAWN

COACH MARIANO GRACIDA

SOPHIA DEANGELIS, ISABEL BROCKETT, TENNYSON BARCLAY HAMIR, MARLIN TAYLOR

BPP: RITA OWNED BY LA HERRADURA, PLAYED BY SOPHIA DEANGELIS SPECIAL AWARDS

MVP: SOPHIA DEANGELIS

HORSEMANSHIP: MARLIN TAYLOR

BEAL FAMILY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD PRESENTED BY AIPF: AURORA KNOX

2024 NATIONAL YOUTH TOURNAMENT SERIES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

CECIL SMITH CUP

WESTERN

COACH JARED SHELDON MICAELA SARACCO, PIERS BOSSOM, FINLEY RAMSON, ULY ESCAPITE.

BPP: POLO YETA “SOPRESA” PLAYED & OWNED BY MICAELA SARACCO SPECIAL AWARDS

MVP: PIERS BOSSOM

HORSEMANSHIP: MICAELA SARACCO

BEAL FAMILY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD PRESENTED BY AIPF: DANIEL ARNOLD

Port Mayaca Polo Club

The Port Mayaca Community was founded in the mindset of bringing polo players together to share in the enjoyment and camaraderie of the polo lifestyle.

Traditionally polo players came to the polo clubs of Florida to play on great fields and collaborate with other like-minded polo enthusiasts. In many ways, we feel this concept has been lost over the years, but at Port Mayaca we take this idea to heart and keep it in mind with everything we do. In our club, we strive to promote competition without animosity, quality without pretense, comfort without extravagance, and sportsmanship above all else. We welcome all polo enthusiasts to join us in the community we have built to share in the sport we love.